Shazam! followed the usual comic book movie formula by having an iconic villain feature against the hero. Shazam! found its villain in Mark Strong’s performance as Doctor Sivana. Now, with the trailer for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, DC Comics have done something a tad bit differently.
The villains for the Shazam! sequel involves the Daughters of Atlas, characters that are entirely new to the DC Universe. It’s surprising to see a comic book movie feature an iconic superhero without a villain from the comics to go against them. However, it allows for more freedom when it comes to the antagonists. Yet, fans are still eagerly anticipating the rivalry between Black Adam and Shazam to hit the big screen, and forever alter the hierarchy of power in the DCEU.
7 Who Was Atlas?
Shazam, formerly Captain Marvel, receives his powers by saying the word “SHAZAM”. Each letter is the name of a deity of great power. One of those powers comes from Atlas, with his stamina. The character features in DC Comics from both the original timeline and the Rebirth timeline.
Atlas was a mighty warrior and one who conquered magical origins several centuries ago. Atlas was raised to be the protector of the innocent, but alas, gave into a destructive and dark nature. Atlas desires nothing more than to be the greatest combatant the world has seen, and as a Greek Titan, he has proved that across the centuries.
6 Atlas’ Feud With Superman
With the desire to be the greatest champion of the world, Atlas was brought into the present by General Sam Lane. Atlas worked with the military with the dedication and promise of fighting Kryptonians, arguably Earth’s greatest defenders. No Kryptonian, perhaps no hero, is more famed and powerful than Superman himself.
Atlas and Superman had a fierce battle, one with devastating blows. Even Superman’s dog, Krypto, got himself involved in the fight. Fans have been awaiting the return of Superman to the DCEU for many years, and with the reveal of Atlas’ daughters, perhaps Atlas himself and Superman will make an appearance in Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
5 Atlas’ Daughters
Not much is known about the DC villains for Shazam! Fury of the Gods. DC is no stranger to leaning into Greek mythology, as Wonder Woman was all about the heritage of the Amazons and the Greek pantheon. Atlas and his daughters will just further solidify the importance of this pantheon, especially with Zeus appearing in Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
In Greek mythology, Atlas’ daughters are known as the Hesperides, the Nymphs of the West. They were the nymphs of the evening, golden lights of sunsets. It’s unclear what specific elements of their mythology will be taken and placed within the DCEU for Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
4 Hespera
Helen Mirren will be playing the eldest daughter of Atlas in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Helen Mirren has an impressive list of credits, including the more recent franchise Fast and the Furious, where she is set to return for the final two parts. Helen Mirren plays Hespera, the golden armor-clad demi-god.
It is expected that fans will learn more about Hespera closer to the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods. What is known, is that she is the goddess of immortality, and mostly neutral to the morality of good and evil. With the talented range of Helen Mirren, it will be great to see what she brings to the DCEU.
3 Kalypso
As the second daughter of Atlas, Kalypso already seems to be quite the threat. This is in part to the role being played by Lucy Liu, who has found fame in the Charlie’s Angels franchise, as well as many other acting credentials. She was a force to be reckoned with in Kill Bill: Vol. 1.
Kalypso is not a DC Comics character but takes clear inspiration from the Greek mythology counterpart: Calypso. As one of the fabled daughters of Atlas, Calypso lives alone on the island of Ogygia. Although she did not play a large role in Greek mythology, as the main antagonist in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, it seems Kalypso will have quite the time against Shazam.
2 Athena
As the third daughter of Atlas, Athena is far younger than her sisters Hespera and Kalypso. Rachel Zegler will be undertaking the role of Athena. Regarding the character’s youth and inexperience with her yet unknown powers, perhaps Athena will be divided on whether to side with her sisters or the newfound fun of a loving family from the Shazam Family.
An interesting aspect of Athena’s character comes from the fact that she is not the daughter of Atlas. In Greek mythology, Athena was the favored daughter of Zeus and the sister of Ares. Considering Ares was killed by his niece, Wonder Woman, perhaps she will return for a battle with other elements of the Greek pantheon.
1 King Shazam
In recent years, the DC Comics Universe has seen a great new nemesis to the cosmos with The Batman Who Laughs. This character, created for the Dark Multiverse aspect of DC Comics, has reigned terror across the multiverse. One such victim was Billy Batson, who as Shazam, was stabbed with a Batarang, which corrupted Billy into a demonic and evil Shazam. This version of Shazam battled the very gods that gave him his powers.
Atlas was the first being that Shazam fought, and was left defeated and crushed in his destroyed hut. Atlas certainly put up a good fight, but considering Shazam has his stamina, and even greater power from the Greek pantheon, he was no match. Perhaps there will be further feuds in DC’s cinematic universe, or one with the long-awaited Black Adam.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is scheduled to premiere in theaters on December 21, 2022.